Happy Anniversary to Me!
When I finally took the leap and “hung my shingle” a little over a year ago, I had no idea where this business would take me, but I felt strongly about doing something that used my skills that was also a creative outlet, allowed me the flexibility to work around my husband’s schedule, our lake trips, family commitments and grammy time. This endeavor has been that and so much more. As a bit of reflection, here is a recap of all the projects completed since I started just over a year (whew….I’ve been busy).
“Fresh Look” features a drop cloth slipcover for my dining room table benches. With the move, they split up, one going to the foot of a bed and one in a mudroom. After a year of reconciling, they are back together at the same table but in my basement (I move things around a lot).
“The Chair with a Purpose” was another drop cloth slipcover to prepare a comfortable chair to welcome my new grandson, Ben. He is now 18 months old! This slipcover washes up beautifully and with two little ones, that’s a necessity.
“New Look for a New Home” took a chair that was perfect for one home but didn’t fit into the color scheme of our new lake house. It is my absolute favorite chair in which I sip my first cup of coffee in the morning or can curl up on the later to take a nap. It ‘s not unusual to see evidence of wine or ice cream indulgences, but it is easily washed away.
“Red & Blue” featured my two side chairs that got a new look for their new home and my red side window panels. They since have moved from the upstairs kitchen to the basement. We sold the pool table and now have a wonderful big space to play Mexican Train, cards, and other games. This year I plan to have a big family dinner at the table in the basement in front of the fireplace which is getting a makeover (look for blog on this in 2018).
“Inspiration” & “Room Transformation” took two pieces of furniture in two different colors and with the help of slipcovers blended them together so they could conform to their new home in a new color scheme. This room is in the process of another transformation which should be done next year.
“Cottage Chair Facelift” turned a classic wingback into a casual and versatile side chair and used a large piece of drop cloth my client already had. I just love being able to repurpose things!
“Coral Cuteness” highlights twin chairs that were in desperate need of an update in a fun color. The fabric was old and fraying but nothing a slipcover couldn’t hide. You wouldn’t believe they are the same chair.
“Unusual Useful Upscale” isn’t your usual slipcover. This cool old mail cart can be used for laundry or on a dock. Wouldn’t it be cute to see it filled with colorful Christmas presents?
My Home Projects are featured throughout the year focusing on the projects I completed in moving into our new lake home. January Home Projects featured drop cloth curtains in a sunny guest bedroom, a pool table cover repurposing inexpensive red and black checked tablecloth, a nautical cover for a parson chair, and a nautical inspired bed skirt. February Home Projects found me making a teepee for granddaughter to play in, a pillow bed, simple café curtains for our master bedroom, and window toppers for our master bedroom. March Home Projects included a couple of Disney dresses for Addy, a cow print faux fur rocker cushion, and a couple of pillows. Bathroom Rejuvenation showcases a small update on my basement master bathroom featuring a black vinyl cushion covered in a cozy slipcover.
“A Sunny Little Chair” was a fun and springy slipper chair that brought the sun and warmth right when it was needed the most in the middle of winter and features a flirty skirt and cute back button closure.
“Shades of Gray” turned a Florida set with light green fern fabric into a Virginia family set that can withstand kids and dogs in a trendy and versatile gray with blue accents.
“From Drab to Fab” was just that! All I can say is wow. These two Arhaus chairs now say “look at me!”
Cushions by numbers. I made 22 cushions in a teal Sunbrella for Mary, 2 bright green swing cushions for Pam’s lake porch, 16 cushions for a poolside seating area, 13 cushions for Jessica who brought me her cushions from Pennsylvania, 4 cushion sets for a cute iron patio set, and not to mention 16 cushions and pillows for my lake house. All in all I made 77 cushions this year.
“Ben’s Big Boy Chair” was my attempt at slipcovering a personalized Pottery Barn chair for Ben’s first birthday. He still loves it and it still looks great.
“Graduation” took a comfortable but worn chair and ottoman and totally brightened it up with a creamy colored bull denim blend. It washed up beautiful and was ready in a few days just in time for my client’s daughter high school graduation party.
“White after Labor Day” allowed my client to turn two random pieces into a she-shed beauty complete with all the fluff and frills using a white Bull Denim.
“Tickled Pink” took two twin chairs that had been loved and half painted and gave them new life. The little bit of pink was just enough to give the chairs some personality and is a perfect accent color for this trendy client.
“Wings and the Test of Time” showcases a dual-fabric slipcover for a treasured wingback. Looking forward to trying out some other ideas such as chenille or an old quilt.
“Bonus Chair in Boucle” features two club chairs
I got for a steal to put in my new workspace at the lake house. It should be done by the holidays! I can’t wait to get my hands of the space to decorate. Club chairs are easy to slipcover and so I see seasonal slips in the future….this time something a little more wild. I see a future blog early 2018.
“California Chair in Coral” was my most recent project. I can’t say how much I love the difference this slipcover made. It made a California inspired chair into a Virginia sunny basement chair.
Thank you for allowing me to work on your pieces and welcoming me into your world through my blog. I hope that I have either inspired you to try something new, go after your passion, and maybe look at an old loved piece through different lense before giving up on it. Let me know how I can help. I am taking projects for next year! What will we create in 2-0-1-8?
With a grateful heart, Happy Thanksgiving!
My initial plan was to reconstruct them to fit and recover them. I decided it would be easier to just make new ones but would use them as a template on how to do it. I made a template of my chair seat and used a basic drop cloth for the fabric. I stuffed them with the batting from the purchased cushions so I would feel like I got my money’s worth. I then tufted them just like the original and put Velcro tabs to attach to the chair spindles instead of ties to keep it clean and simple. They turned out great! BUT….I forgot to get a picture before we left the lake, so you will have to wait a couple of weeks for an after picture.
So I slipped it off and threw it in the washing machine. It came out great, except I realized I never finished the seams so I had a messy inside of tangled strings. SO….I walked over to my serger and proceeded to serge all the seams. It looks so pretty and clean again. I can’t believe my serger is celebrating its first birthday and I am only now brave enough to use it. I LOVE it and can’t believe I got along all these years without out. Never again. It’s my new favorite thing.
